health worker Clare Fox has been suspended from duties for 12 months after shoplifting twice in two months.

The 26-year-old was working for the Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland NHS Mental Health Trust as an occupational therapist at the time of the cautions, the Health Professions Council heard.

Fox, formally of Victoria Street, Ryton, was cautioned by police after attempting to steal beauty products from Debenhams in Sunderland worth around £400 and Fenwick's in Newcastle worth just over £80.

Nicola Hill, for the council, told its conduct committee that Ms Fox, who was not present at the hearing nor represented, had received the two police cautions in 2004.

Ms Hill said PC Chris Neville was on duty in Sunderland city centre on August 17, 2004 and was called to Debenhams. There he heard Ms Fox had collected beauty items from the shop, gone into a cubicle, placed them in a plastic bag and left the department store without paying.

When she was stopped, she was found with goods to the value of £402.50. She was taken to the police station, where she was said to have been "apologetic" about her actions and told officers she was having financial difficulties.

Ms Fox was cautioned for the attempted theft because it was her first offence.

The hearing, which took place in Kent, was told on October 21, 2004 Fox went to Fenwick's in Newcastle and attempted to steal items worth £82.95, including perfume and fake tan.

Again, Ms Fox admitted the crime when she was interviewed by police, this time indicating that she was depressed as well has having financial problems. Police again say Ms Fox, who has since moved to Norwich, appeared very sorry for her actions and she was given another caution.

The hearing was shown letters from Ms Fox claiming both offences were "out of character" .

She went on to say she had moved to Tyneside to live with her partner but was in severe debt from university. She added that she had family problems and described her actions as a "cry for help".

In August Ms Fox phoned the council to give her change of address and said she wouldn't be attending the hearing as she no longer wished to be an occupational therapist.

Chair Christine Mills said while Ms Fox said she was now keen to continue practising and had worked very hard to overcome the problems which led to her actions, the panel was mindful of the public's need to have confidence in the regulatory process.

Ruling that a 12-month suspension was necessary for the offences, Ms Mills said: "Given that Ms Fox committed a second theft within two months of a police caution, this could not be viewed as a minor matter."